City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 106 in San Diego, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $2,313 in San Diego.
The cost gap between San Diego and Boise is the real story here. Boise comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($2,313 vs $1,446), which over a year adds up to $10,404. Median household income runs $108,077 in San Diego and $83,904 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Boise costs less and San Diego pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Boise at $1,446 average has pockets that run $1,246 and others at $1,846: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Diego and Boise are 755 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,313 a month in San Diego to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $867 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $108,077 in San Diego to $83,904 in Boise, down $24,173 (22%).
The crime index goes from 106 in San Diego to 73 in Boise, down 33 points (31%).
The move
Boise and San Diego are 755 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $2,313 a month in San Diego, up $867 a month (60%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $108,077 in San Diego, up $24,173 (29%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 106 in San Diego, up 33 points (45%).
San Diego, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing San Diego and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Boise rent is 37% cheaper than San Diego
San Diego
$2,313/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $2,313 in San Diego, so Boise is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $867/month back in your pocket ($10,404/year). Over five years that's $52,020 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in San Diego, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Boise is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
29% higher
San Diego's median income is 29% higher than Boise
San Diego
Winner$108,077
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 29% higher in San Diego (about $24,173 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, San Diego is the stronger labor market on paper. Boise can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
31% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 31% lower than San Diego
San Diego
106 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 106 in San Diego (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Boise. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Boise is the easier city. San Diego can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
San Diego weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
San Diego
Winner74°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
San Diego averages about 74°F (78°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). San Diego sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. San Diego scores 12% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boise if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 29% higher ($108,077), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Boise is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,446 a month. Choose Boise if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than San Diego (73 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
San Diego runs $2,313/month while Boise sits at $1,446 — roughly 37% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Diego-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Boise rent at $1,446/month is still below San Diego's $2,313, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $83,904 in Boise.
Boise is the default on housing cost at $1,446/month versus $2,313 in San Diego; San Diego stays in play when $108,077 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $867 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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